Business Feeling Hard? What to Do And How to Stay Creative Through It
Jun 04, 2025
Let’s have a real moment: Inside the Collective Co-Op, we’re seeing two types of seasons right now. Some businesses are absolutely flying. Others? Slower. Stuck. Feeling a little unsure.
If you’re in the second camp, I want you to hear this loud and clear:
You are not alone.
You are not broken.
And you are definitely not done.
Business runs in seasons—just like life. And if you’re in a tougher one? It doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re being forged. Into a more creative, focused, powerful version of the CEO you’re meant to be.
This blog is your permission slip and step-by-step guide to navigate the hard stuff—and start turning it into momentum.
First: Understand the Season You’re In
Business isn’t meant to be a constant sprint.
Sometimes you’re blooming. Other times, you’re in groundwork mode—planting seeds you can’t quite see yet. But growth is still happening.
If you’re riding a high? Celebrate it.
If you’re not? Remember, this is a chapter, not the whole story.
What to Do When Things Feel Challenging
Here’s exactly what I recommend—and what I’m doing myself right now.
1. Know Your Numbers
Especially for more seasoned entrepreneurs: you need to lead with facts, not fear.
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How much financial cushion do you have?
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What’s your monthly baseline revenue?
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What can you sustain—and for how long?
When you know your numbers, you give yourself freedom. You can pivot from a place of power, not panic.
2. Stay the Course (Especially if You’re Newer)
Early stages are about trust and traction—not instant gratification.
Grassroots marketing still works. Go start real conversations. Meet people. Serve genuinely.
💡 Trust is built faster offline than online. Don’t be afraid to get out there.
3. Follow Up—More Than You Think
80% of sales happen after 5–7 touchpoints.
People aren’t ghosting you—they’re busy. Your job is to stay human, stay kind, and stay consistent.
Track your conversations. Make following up a weekly system, not an emotional guessing game.
Introducing a new private podcast series that’s just for you if you’re sick of all the Instagram BS! (or insert social channel of your choice). You can build a business without being a slave to the social engine. Grab the free series.
4. Get Creative
Ask your people directly: “What do you need right now?”
Then build something around it.
This is your season to experiment with heart.
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Pop-up offers
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Bundles
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Free trainings
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Strategic collaborations
Don’t wait for the perfect idea. Start simple. Iterate quickly.
Permission to Shift and Simplify
The online space is noisier. Buyers are more cautious. But that doesn’t mean you’re off-track.
In fact, contraction seasons often create the most powerful breakthroughs.
So here’s your game plan:
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Simplify what feels heavy
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Double down on what’s working
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Focus on serving, not scrambling
You don’t need to do more. You need to do what matters.
Creativity Wins. Community Wins. Consistency Wins.
If it feels hard right now, it’s not just you. But you’re doing better than you think. You’re just being asked to lead differently.
You’re not behind. You’re building deeper roots.
What's Next?
You’ve got this.
Get creative. Stay grounded. Keep going.
We built the Crush the Rush community for this moment—to navigate seasons like these together.
About the author
Holly Haynes is a business strategist who loves a good plan and flow chart. She is crazy passionate about teaching women like you how to build your dream job and scale to 6-figures without sacrificing your weekends or priorities.
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